Indian President Pranab Mukherjee says, nuclear energy can be the answer to India’s quest for clean energy. Speaking at the 56th convocation ceremony of BARC Training School in Mumbai, Mukherjee said that India needs to concentrate on harnessing nuclear power and at the same time balance environment protection with development requirements.
Pranab Mukherjee said, of the total installed capacity of 2.29 lakh MW of energy production in India, just 2 percent comes from nuclear energy. The President asked the atomic energy community to undertake public outreach measures to allay perceived fears and concerns about nuclear power.
Earlier today, President Mukherjee also inaugurated BARC’s five advanced facilities, which include the integrated facility for Providing Advanced Reactor thermal Hydraulics – PARTH, the hot commissioning of Waste Immobilization Plant and Radiation-aided chemical removal of the pollutants. He also unveiled the most popular variety of mutant groundnut, developed by BARC, called TAG 24 that is Trombay – Akola – Groundnut.
Maharashtra Governor Mr. K. Sankaranarayanan, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, Dr. R.K. Sinha were also present for today’s function.